Tragic Fire in Delhi Restaurant Claims 21 Lives, Many Injured
Devastating Fire in Malviya Nagar
A catastrophic fire erupted early Wednesday morning at a restaurant in the Malviya Nagar area of Delhi, resulting in the deaths of at least 21 individuals and leaving several others injured. The incident took place at the multi-story Lemon Green restaurant located in the Hauz Rani area of South Delhi, with officials reporting that a significant number of the deceased were foreign nationals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences regarding the tragic event. A statement from the Prime Minister's Office described the loss of life and property in the Malviya Nagar fire as extremely sorrowful, extending heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims and wishing for the swift recovery of the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected.
Government Response and Support
The statement further indicated that each family of the deceased would receive a compensation of ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF, while the injured would be granted ₹50,000. Reacting to the incident, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed her sorrow over the loss of life and assured that the government is closely monitoring the situation. In a post on social media, Gupta mentioned that emergency teams from the Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Police, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), and CAT ambulance service were dispatched to the scene as soon as the fire was reported.
Rescue Operations Underway
The fire broke out in the restaurant during the early hours, trapping many individuals inside the building. Firefighters arrived promptly and initiated rescue operations to evacuate those caught in the blaze. Fire officer A.K. Malik reported that the department received the alert at 8:50 AM, initially sending seven fire engines to the site. Although some vehicles were en route, all necessary units eventually arrived. Upon their arrival, the team successfully rescued 37 individuals from the building, which consists of a basement, ground floor, and five upper levels.
Investigation and Building Details
Upon questioning witnesses at the scene, it was revealed that the building does not function as a standalone residential complex. Instead, it appears that many of the residents were individuals whose relatives were receiving treatment at the Max Hospital located directly across the street. Consequently, it is likely that these individuals were staying there for that purpose, including foreign nationals. The fire was brought under control swiftly, and the building has since been evacuated and handed over to the police for further investigation.